Gas Scheme Entry Requirements

There are three Categories used within the Industry to describe a candidate's experience prior to taking Gas Assessments.  These Categories are as follows:

Category 1 Applicants:

Applicants in this category are regarded as experienced gas fitting operatives; they will need to provide evidence that they possess a gas fitting qualification or certificate(s) of gas competence issued either within or outside the UK.  These qualifications/ certificates may be outside their validity period.

Applicants in this category who only hold limited scope certificates of gas safety competence which do not require connection to a live gas supply or who are not required to enter a property will if they intend to extend their range of gas work, present evidence of that additional gas work experience prior to taking assessment.  (See evidence requirements detailed in Category 2).

Category 2 Applicants:

Applicants in this category are regarded as holding a nationally recognised qualification, e.g. NVQ or City & Guilds craft certificate in a trade associated with gas work, such as plumbing.  Application conditions for this category require that the applicant provides us evidence of their qualification and written evidence confirming that they have undertaken “on the Job” gas installation and/or maintenance training and have experience of gas work that has been carried out under the direct supervision of a competent operative(s) employed by a Gas Safe Registered business.

In order for us to evaluate the evidence and make a professional judgement on its content and suitability, we will need to be satisfied that the applicant has a sufficiency and range of gas work experience relating to the application in accordance with the following requirements:

  • The start and end dates of the off the job training programme.
  • The start and end dates of the on the job training programme.
  • The types and sufficiency of gas work undertaken (not plumbing or other work related activities).
  • The name(s) of the competent operative(s) of the business that has provided the on the job training.

We are able to provide a framework to assist in providing this evidence along with guidance on typical on/off the job training durations.  Where there is any doubt over the authenticity of information presented by the applicant we will decline access to ACS assessment.

Category 3 Applicants:

Applicants in this category are regarded as new to the gas industry, do not hold any national qualifications or have any gas work experience.  Application conditions for this category require that the Category 3 applicant may as an alternative to achieving a Gas Services N/SVQ either:

  • Obtain employment with a Gas Safe Registered business which is willing to provide an auditable extended “in house” gas training programme incorporating both on and off the job components with organisational support prior to the applicant taking ACS assessment; or
  • Undertakes a training programme which is planned, managed and organised by a training provider.  This training programme will incorporate both on and off the job training and experience with organisational support prior to the applicant taking ACS assessment.  The on the job training component will be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered business in accordance with a training plan and programme designed by the training provider.

Evidence of the contents of the programme detailing the off the job training and on the job experience must be presented as category 2 applicants.  We are able to provide a framework to assist in providing this evidence along with guidance on typical on/off the job training durations.  Where there is any doubt over the authenticity of information presented by the applicant we will decline access to ACS assessment.